In Home Care Services: What They Are and How to Access Them

If you or someone you love is finding it harder to manage at home, you are not alone. Thousands of older Australians reach a point where a little extra help makes an enormous difference. In home care services exist for exactly this reason: to keep you living comfortably, safely, and independently in the place you know best.

But navigating the system can feel overwhelming. What services are actually available? Who pays for them? How do you even get started? This guide walks you through everything you need to know.

What Are In Home Care Services?

In home care services are a range of supports delivered directly to you in your home, designed to help you manage daily life as your needs change with age. They are not about taking over your independence. They are about protecting it.

The support available covers a broad spectrum. At the lighter end, that might mean someone helping with the grocery shopping or keeping the house clean. At the more intensive end, it can include nursing care, allied health visits, and assistance with personal tasks like showering, dressing, and medication management.

The Australian Government funds most in home aged care through two main programs: the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) for people who need occasional help with one or two tasks, and the Support at Home program for those with more complex or ongoing needs. Private payment is also an option if you prefer to access services without going through the government assessment process.

Types of In Home Care Services Available

Understanding what is on offer helps you plan the right level of support. In home care services broadly fall into five categories.

Personal care covers the hands-on, day-to-day tasks that become harder as we age: showering, dressing, continence management, grooming, and help getting in and out of bed. This kind of support is delivered with dignity and respect, always working around your preferences and routine.

Domestic assistance keeps your home running smoothly. That includes cleaning, laundry, ironing, meal preparation, and help with grocery shopping. For many people, having a hand with these tasks a couple of times a week is enough to make home life feel manageable again.

Nursing and allied health care brings clinical support into your home rather than requiring you to travel to appointments. This can include wound care, medication management, chronic disease support, and visits from occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and physiotherapists. If you want to understand more about how these health services work, our article on what to expect when receiving in home aged care supports is a helpful starting point.

Assistive technology and home modifications focus on making your home safer and easier to navigate. Grab rails in the bathroom, ramps at the front door, personal alarms, and mobility equipment all fall under this category. An occupational therapist typically carries out a home assessment to identify what modifications would help most.

Social support addresses something that does not get talked about enough: loneliness. Staying connected to your community, having someone to share a conversation with, and continuing to participate in activities you enjoy all contribute significantly to wellbeing and cognitive health. Social groups and individual social support are part of a well-rounded in home care plan.

Respite care gives family carers the time they need to rest, work, or simply recharge. Respite can be delivered in your home or at a day centre, and it benefits both the carer and the person receiving care.

Who Is Eligible for In Home Care Services?

Government-funded in home care services in Australia are available to people aged 65 and over (50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people). Younger people with a disability, dementia, or care needs that are not met through other specialist services may also be eligible.

Eligibility is determined through an assessment carried out by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or a Regional Assessment Service (RAS), depending on the level of support you need. You apply through My Aged Care, the Australian Government's gateway to aged care services.

It is worth knowing that many people wait longer than necessary to seek help, often because they are unsure whether their situation qualifies. If you are noticing changes, our guide on signs it might be time for in home aged care services may help you decide whether now is the right moment to reach out.

How In Home Care Is Funded

Most people access in home care services through one of the two government-funded programs.

The Commonwealth Home Support Programme is the entry point for people who need a small amount of support, typically one or two services on an occasional basis. It is subsidised by the government, and most recipients pay a small co-contribution based on their income. 

The Support at Home program, which launched on 1 November 2025, replaced the former Home Care Packages program. It is designed for people with more complex or ongoing needs and provides a budget that you and your provider use together to fund your care plan. The level of funding is based on your assessed needs. 

Some people also choose to pay privately, particularly if they want to start services quickly without waiting for a government assessment, or if they want services that fall outside the funded programs.

What Does a Care Plan Actually Look Like?

No two care plans look alike, because no two people have the same needs, routines, or goals. When you start with a provider like Kirinari, you are matched with a dedicated Care Partner who takes the time to understand your situation. Together, you work out which services would make the most difference and how often you need them.

A care plan is not fixed. As your circumstances change, your plan changes with it. That might mean adding nursing support after a hospital stay, reducing domestic assistance if family moves closer, or incorporating social outings as a new priority. The point is that the support always fits around your life, not the other way around.

Understanding Your Rights as a Care Recipient

Receiving in home care services does not mean giving up control. Under the Aged Care Act, you have a clear set of rights as a care recipient, including the right to make decisions about your own care, to be treated with dignity and respect, and to raise complaints without fear of consequences.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is the independent body that oversees quality standards for all registered providers. Knowing this exists, and knowing how to use it, gives you confidence that there is accountability built into the system.

Kirinari publishes its own guide to choice, dignity, and respect in aged care if you want to explore your rights in more detail before getting started.

How to Get Started with In Home Care Services

Getting started is more straightforward than many people expect. Here is the basic path.

First, contact My Aged Care online or by phone on 1800 200 422. They will ask a few questions about your situation and arrange an assessment if appropriate. Second, complete your assessment, which usually takes place in your home. Third, once you receive your approval, you choose a provider and work with them to develop your care plan.

You also have the right to choose your own provider and to change providers if your circumstances or preferences change. The power sits with you.

Starting Sooner Makes a Difference

One of the most common things people say after accessing in home care services is that they wish they had started sooner. The earlier you put support in place, the more effectively it can work alongside your existing independence rather than replacing it.

Whether you need a hand with the housework or comprehensive nursing and allied health care at home, the right support can genuinely change how you experience day-to-day life at home. And in regional communities particularly, having a provider that understands your local area, knows your community, and shows up reliably is not a small thing.

Take the first step today and find out what in home care services are available to you.